In psalm 23, David the psalmist writes, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me ….” (verse 4, NASB). These words did not necessarily reflect David’s reality. Rather, they underscored the depth of the peace he enjoyed knowing the Lord was with him.
Imagine walking down the street alone one quiet night. Passing a streetlight, you see the shadow of a person with a knife in his hand behind you. You know evil is present. How might you respond?
A shadow is more than just a shadow. It indicates the existence of something real and near. When David penned the psalm, he may have reflected on the numerous times King Saul pursued his innocent blood. David lived in the shadow of Saul’s jealousy.
What is that valley of the shadow of death that you find yourself walking through today? Perhaps it is financial ruin or chronic illness or a rocky marriage. It has not yet landed its knockout blow, but you see the ominous shadow of it.
Why You Can Walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death
David said concerning the valley of the shadow of death, “I fear no evil, for You are with me.” This is also the key to how we can walk through that valley.
The world of unbelievers doesn’t have a monopoly on experiencing the shadow of death. Christians go through them as well. The difference is that when we do, God is with us. That makes all the difference in the world—or at least it should.
The Implications of “God Is with You”
As God was with David, so is He with us. So, what’s the big deal about the fact that God is with us? When God is on our side, the following is true:
1. We can have the peace of God that passes all comprehension (Phil. 4:7). It is this peace that enables us to walk through the valley of the shadow of death and to fear no evil.
2. We have divine protection. God gives His angels charge concerning us to keep us in all our ways (Psalm 91:11).
3. Those who are with us are more than those who are against us (2 Kings 6:16). This powerful reality exists in the spiritual realm beyond our natural view.
4. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor death, nor any other creature” (Romans 8:38-39, KJV).
The words of King David in Psalm 23 underscore the value of a genuine relationship with the Lord. Mere religion is not enough. There is but one way you can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil. You must have unwavering faith that God is with you, and you must leverage the breadth and depth of what that entails.
Copyright © 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.